Fulcrum: Definition from dictionary.com
noun,plural ful·crums,ful·cra[fool-kruh, fuhl-].
the support, or point of rest, on which a lever turns in moving a body.
any prop or support.
Fulcrum services are a support and turning point for individuals moving from one state of mind, state of being, way of living, thinking and feeling to another state. We strive to be a tipping point into a way of living that is more in line with who you are. Balance.
"All Terrain" means that we will meet you where you are at, metaphorically and physically. We can navigate the tough terrain of emotion regulation, social relationships, work life and so much more online, in your home, in the community-at work, school, wherever you are comfortable.
Why would you choose Fulcrum? An introduction to D'Angelo and how he works.
The decision to disclose my Audhd (autistic, adhd) diagnosis was intentional. Aside from the obvious reason, a neurodivergent client might feel more comfortable with a neurodivergent provider, not all therapy modalities are appropriate for Autistic people. For instance, the research shows CBT to be an ineffective modality for Autistics unless it is adapted appropriately.
You might be wondering, “oh yeah, like what?” I’d be asking that, too. In CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) we talk about how our beliefs (thoughts) inform how we feel about something and thus, influence our response (actions). This kind of processing can cause harm by emphasizing incongruence between thoughts and behavior that are derived from a neurological response rather than intentional or emotionally driven reaction or a voluntary belief.
Further, it is my belief that all forms of therapy or support should yield safe growth toward personal goals. I am an anti-ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis). I’ve already heard of the “new” ABA that is different. No thank you. I spend a lot of time researching and being present in autistic spaces. I feel strongly about protecting the rights and personal agency of others.
I have never been a fan of words like “compliance” or “resilience” in relation to supporting others. One is an approach to control behavior rather than understand the reason and support accordingly. The other is an ableist perspective that suggests you need to handle more than you can. It literally celebrates getting over things quickly. Both words seek to sweep one's needs under the rug and move on, usually unsuccessfully. That can’t feel good to anyone.
The other drawback to improper interventions or support is that it leads to further masking behavior. Masking is harmful long term and can lead to many physical and mental health struggles, including autistic burnout. Autistic burnout can last for months to years. (I will provide future blog posts about both masking and autistic burnout.)
I am a person who deeply reveres my individuality, independence, and autonomy. When we teach compliance, we fail to develop the qualities that are needed in order to survive, like setting healthy boundaries or employing personal agency. These are essential to our health, safety, and well being.
We must remember that autistic youth and adults experience higher rates of abuse, anxiety, depression, suicide, and substance use.
A neurodivergent or autistic therapist/support provider can adapt therapeutic practices to be appropriate, safe, and beneficial to neurodivergent clients.
I am dedicated to continuing to educate myself on ableism, racism, and trauma. Identity is complex and sacred. We all have many layers of identity that are important to us. The safety and respect of others is my primary concern when providing support.
Choosing a provider
When you choose a support provider, you should feel as though you have a choice. You deserve a competent provider, not just the only therapist with openings who accepts your insurance, only to have to wait 6 months for an appointment.
At Fulcrum, you have personal agency. You decide who you want to work with, how often you want to have support, and where. You can schedule a one time consultation or twice in a week. You can work on your goals at your own pace without pressure or deadlines to renew or contrive a certain number of goals that will match a diagnosis.
You can schedule a meet and greet or first appointment to see if it is a good match. If it isn’t, that’s okay! There are plenty of providers out there. I encourage those who have had a bad experience in the past to congratulate themselves for taking steps to discontinue a poor fit. That’s actually a very difficult task sometimes. A good provider will always be supportive of you finding the support you need.
We try to put the power of choice in your hands, where it should be. Because Fulcrum is not a “clinic,” you won’t experience the discontinuation of care that unfortunately happens far too often when therapists move on or take leave. Instead, you have a consistent provider to help you reach your goal.
What about folks who aren’t neurodivergent?
Fulcrum isn’t just for neurodivergent clients. It is for anyone interested in gaining support to reach their goal whether that goal is to have healthier relationships, explore identities, learn strategies or skills to improve communication, manage emotions, work with life challenges, or self-regulation techniques.
Fulcrum is a straightforward, accessible, and flexible support service option.
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